Sydney Gruters, RNC chair’s wife, launches Florida House bid

Sydney Gruters, the wife of Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Joe Gruters, launched her campaign on Thursday for the House seat in Florida’s 16th Congressional District.

“As a working mother of three, I see firsthand how much pressure rising prices are putting on families across Southwest Florida,” she said in a release. “From groceries and gas to housing and insurance, too many families, seniors, and veterans are being stretched thin. I’m running for Congress to protect our conservative values, fight for the people of this district, and give them a strong voice in Washington.”

Sydney Gruters most recently was the vice president of advance and executive director of the New College Foundation in Sarasota, Fla. Prior to that, she worked in the offices of Reps. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), the latter of whom is retiring from the seat she is gunning for. 

Even before she officially jumped in the race, President Trump endorsed Sydney Gruters last month. During his first term, Trump appointed her as the state director for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands at the Department of Agriculture.

“A Highly Successful Civic Leader and Public Servant, Sydney has dedicated her life to serving her Community, and she and her family are fierce advocates for our Movement to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

“Should she decide to enter this Race, Sydney Gruters has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump later added. “RUN, SYDNEY, RUN!”

Sydney Gruter also formed her campaign committee on Wednesday, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Joe Gruters, a Florida state senator and the chair of the RNC since August, touted his wife’s campaign early Thursday morning. 

“My wife @SydneyGruters just launched her bid for Congress in Florida’s 16th, ready to be a true conservative warrior for President @realDonaldTrump,” he wrote on the social platform X. “She’s got his complete endorsement: ‘RUN, SYDNEY, RUN!’ Smart, fierce, and all-in for America First.”

When Trump endorsed his wife, Joe Gruters noted that he would only support her in his personal capacity given his role at the RNC. In addition to Sydney Gruters, businessman John Peters, Navy veteran Ed Pope and former New College of Florida Trustee Eddie Speir are running for the GOP nomination. The primary is set for Aug. 18. 

In 2024, Buchanan defeated Democrat Jan Schneider by 19 points in 2024, while the district went for Trump by 15.5 points that year, according to The Downballot. 

That makes the winner of the Republican primary the favorite in November’s general election, when Republicans will try to hold on to their slim House majority.

Caroline Vakil contributed reporting.

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